Coin of Kassandreia under Septimius Severus c. 193 - 211

Curator: Here we have a coin of Kassandreia under Septimius Severus, held in the Harvard Art Museums. It offers a tangible link to the past, reflecting the Severan dynasty's influence. Editor: It’s quite weathered, isn’t it? The patinated surface gives it a sort of ancient aura, a tangible sense of history, while its eroded textures speak to time's passage. Curator: Indeed. Septimius Severus was keen to solidify his legitimacy through such iconography. Coins like this served as propaganda, circulating his image and authority. Editor: I notice a faint circular motif, possibly surrounding an effigy. The texture almost obscures the form, making it more suggestive than explicit. Curator: Precisely. Its condition speaks volumes about its journey through time and its circulation within the economic and social networks of the Roman empire. Editor: The coin’s very existence, despite its condition, offers a compelling, almost spectral glimpse into a distant era. Curator: A powerful symbol of imperial ambition and the enduring legacy of Roman power. Editor: And a fascinating object to contemplate from a purely visual perspective.